Great depth of color with a mahogany pour. The head is a little small and there is not much lace but the color is dark and atractive.

Nose is surprisingly (and disappointingly) light on smoke for me – some soapy hops, a whiff of malt and that’s it.

Tastes are much better than the nose would suggest. Good depth of malt with plenty of sweet smoke make the package completel and the beer falls squarely into the Rauch category without much fuss.

Of course, as for most people Rauchs begin, end and are served by Schlenkerla, so not much to report beyond that. The aftertaste and back end have some residual sweetness and smoke and a little acidity. Definitely moreish and the smoke builds a little with both warmth and time.

All in all very solid, and if you are Jonesing for a Rauch and only this were to be to hand, it would be fine.